Couple sentenced in home invasion

A city woman received probation, but a man is headed to prison for their role in a 2009 home invasion where one woman was raped and several items stolen.

Tamika Jones, 26, of Kendis Circle, Laneer McKinney, 18, of Fairmont Avenue, Lexter Williams, 29, of Kendis Circle, and James D. Williams, 20, of Broadview Avenue, were charged after the three men burst into an East Side home and stole items.

The homeowner told police he was watching TV with his girlfriend and a male friend when three intruders entered through an unlocked door. The homeowner said two of the intruders were armed and ordered the home’s occupants to the floor demanding money.

The woman was taken to the basement and raped. Lexter Williams was charged with the rape.

Jones appeared Thursday before Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on two felony charges. Police said the items stolen from the home had been found inside her apartment.

Jones had been charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a dangerous ordnance (sawed-off shotgun) and illegal possession of a weapon based on a prior conviction.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Jones pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance.

She could have received two years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but prosecutors, based on the plea agreement, recommended probation.

Atty. Robert Rohrbaugh, representing Jones, said his client has maintained a full-time job and had two children since the incident. He said Jones is doing all the necessary things to make recidivism unlikely.

Jones told the court she was caught in a situation she did not fully understand.

Judge Sweeney sentenced Jones to three years’ probation. Jones also must perform 100 hours of community service.

McKinney appeared for sentencing after Jones.

McKinney, who was 17 when the invasion occurred and was bound over from juvenile court for adult proceedings, pleaded guilty earlier to one count each of aggravated robbery and kidnapping with gun specifications.

The prosecution, under a plea agreement, had dropped two counts each of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and aggravated burglary against him.

McKinney could have been sentenced to 23 years in prison, but prosecutors recommended seven years on the charges. He has been incarcerated for 743 days in the county jail.

Atty. Paul Conn, representing McKinney, said his client should be shown some leniency because he has cooperated with prosecutors and was willing to testify against co-defendants.

Judge Sweeney sentenced McKinney to three years on the gun charge and four years on the remaining charges. The 743 days he has already served in jail will be credited toward the three years for the gun charge.

The plea agreements with Jones and McKinney were contingent upon their testimony against Lexter Williams. Lexter Williams had been charged with four counts of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, and one count of rape with gun specifications, and being a felon with a gun.

The plea agreement with Lexter Williams stipulates that the rape charge will be amended to gross sexual imposition and he will plead guilty to that charge as well as the remaining charges against him. He will be sentenced Nov. 22.

James D. Williams pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated robbery and kidnapping. The prosecution recommended a five-year prison term for him. He will be sentenced at a later date.

The animals that committed the rape should be punish with a death sentence for there crime. They broke in to someone house robed them at gun point. Then raped a women and the judge allowed it to be plead down. To gross sexual imposition how much I bet that will make the women fell better. To know that she wasn't raped. Whats the purpose or cops and judges when no one can get justice.

The LEGAL system comes through again with plea bargaining! What a crock of bull crap. Did we ever have a JUSTICE system? I imagine this raped woman feels like justice has been served by dropping a rape charge down to gross sexual imposition. The only word that applies here is GROSS. This woman had a horrible violation, a horrible experience and an idiot judge can lower that charge? It is nothing short of a slap in this woman's face!!!! I think maybe the judge needs to have a loved one raped and see just how he feels about dropping the charge down like he did here. This is totally sickening to honest, law-abiding citizens. These lawyers and judges make a farce of what should be a JUSTICE system. They make me sick!!!! I hope they all get a taste of their own situation-lowering someday. Each one should be in the situation they just made a JUDGMENT on!!! They should hang their heads in shame. Thanks for exercising the laws, JUDGE!!!! I hope YOU didn't find it too stressing!!